Opponents of Senate Bill 5688 and initiators of a referendum effort - which granted state registered domestic partners in Washington all rights, responsibilities, and obligations granted by or imposed by state law on married couples - initially argued that harassment, intimidation and threats was likely to occur if the signature petitions for Referendum 71 would be released.

However, on October 17 U.S. District Judge Ben Settle ruled that the petitions can be released. Settle said, only a few examples of indecent statements or conversations were presented and that there was only speculation that the issues were connected to the measure or the release of petitioner information.[1]

The recently filed emergency appeal requested that the release of petitions be stopped and that plaintiffs names in Judge Settle's October 17 ruling be redacted.[2]

Following a hearing on October 24 the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a temporary injunction blocking further release of petitions. However, the court refused to take up the case itself. The case now reverts back to U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle.[2]